Many natural health practitioners believe that dairy is mucus forming and as such, should be avoided by those who suffer from frequent ear infections and/or colds. If your child is eating a lot of dairy and experiencing recurring ear infections, it is certainly worth trying to cut back on some of the dairy. Total elimination would be ideal, but at the very least, try to limit the amount of dairy he is consuming. After several weeks you may notice that he is suffering from fewer colds and ear infections. If this is the case, continue to limit the dairy in his diet. There are many dairy alternatives (rice milk, soy yogurt and cheese, dairy-free ice-creams etc.) that your child may enjoy. You may also find that he ends up eating a more balanced diet with more fruits and vegetables and different protein sources.
Brenna Leah Cashman, RNCP